The New York Yankees have yet to make a major trade move ahead of Thursday’s MLB deadline, despite recent minor transactions. The team’s front office has been actively discussing potential deals but remains firm on key prospects, particularly Spencer Jones, amid ongoing trade interest.
Yankees Refuse to Part with Jones Except for Paul Skenes
MLB insider Jon Heyman reports that the Yankees have received multiple offers for outfield prospect Spencer Jones, but have insisted they will only trade him as part of a deal for Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes. While other teams have tried to entice New York with quality players, the Yankees have stood their ground, knowing the Pirates are unlikely to let Skenes go.
Spencer Jones’ Impressive Performance Fuels Yankees’ Reluctance to Trade
Jones has shown remarkable power since his promotion to Triple-A, hitting 13 home runs in 21 games, with a total of 29 homers across 70 games this season. As a former first-round pick, his potential is highly valued by the Yankees, who appear unwilling to trade him unless it involves acquiring a player of Skenes’ caliber.
Other Prospects Could Attract Interest, but Jones Remains Off Limits
Besides Jones, New York has other promising prospects like starting pitcher Cam Schlittler, who might be considered for trades. However, team executives including Brian Cashman seem set on keeping Jones as a cornerstone of their future, not entertaining offers unless it involves Skenes.
Long-Term Impact of Yankees’ Trade Strategy
By holding firm on Spencer Jones in pursuit of securing Paul Skenes, the Yankees signal their commitment to balancing immediate competitiveness with building a strong pipeline of talent. The refusal to trade Jones for anyone else underlines their belief in his potential to contribute significantly to the organization’s success moving forward. The trade deadline will likely conclude without a deal involving Jones unless the Pirates decide to part with Skenes, an unlikely scenario.
“Teams had been dangling good players in front of the Yankees in hopes of working out a deal for Jones, but the team has been consistent in that it won’t trade him for anyone other than Skenes.” —Jon Heyman, MLB Insider